Nov 4, 2009
I guess I am one of them!!!
On Saturday I spent the day with my nephews and my own “older” kids in Boston for Halloween. During the day we carved pumpkins and at night passed out candy while the kids did their trick or treat thing. We sat on the porch with a couple of beers but of course had to spend a little time hiding in leaves to scare the kids when they came up to the house. I helped my 7 year old nephew carve his pumpkin. He, of course, had a sharp knife. I was so excited about the whole process and how well they were doing I had to take pictures and immediately upload them to flickr, facebook, and of course text them to my son in law who could not come. Well I had just updated my Blackberry so the applications were not installed. So I had to install them so I could get those pictures up asap. I didn’t stop there – I had to have video. I couldn’t wait – the moment was right and it needed to be then. My daughter (26 years old) kept reminding me “Mom, Daniel is going to cut off his finger. You need to stop.” But I just kept saying one more minute.
So what made me think that it had to be immediate? I wanted to share the moment. I got distracted from the real intent of that day and got caught up in “I have to let my network know.” Interesting but a little scarey at the same time. As I write about multi-tasking (driving while texting!) and what we need to do for our kids, I realize as we become a part of this big paradigm shift of life that we also at the mercy of being overwhelmed.
Well I got the pictures up there and had a lot of responses. I couldn’t do the video and by the time I got to my computer at home I lost interest!
I loved your story… and funny you should mention…
I also find myself at times being “one of them”. Although I bashed people posting their every move on Facebook, I did some reflecting… I text while I drive (sometimes… not all the time! 
,and I also always feel the need to talk on my cellphone as soon as I start driving! Why? I remember not having a cell phone! Why all of a sudden am I completely lost and feel afraid when I forget it somewhere? I honestly can admit to feeling anxious when I don’t have my phone on me! Embarrassing, I know. I lived through it in high school (cell phones didn’t exist… beepers were all the rage). I did not need to be constantly in contact with someone, or everyone. Not that I condone it, but it makes you understand a bit when students text in class… is it right? Abs. not, but is it right to text/make calls while driving?! We are so “in the moment” kind of people now… that we just can’t wait:)
I think it has become a part of our behavior. It is like a habit. Some people need to have something sweet after dinner or a cigarette at a bar and we have conditioned ourselves to reach for a cellphone!
I have to admit that I am not ” One of them” I always try to be current with technology on the class for my kids but personally I am not. I just got a phoine that could text literally 4 months ago. I also do not have a facebook, myspace or any other account to stay current or up to speed with people. I always enjoy videos and pictures but they don’t always come from my end. That is why I am glad that I have friends who are “one of them” to keep me up to speed.
I understand but it is important as a practicitioner to keep up on trends to help better prepare our students. It isn’t about personal use but about what we need to know about and integrate.
That is a funny story! Thank goodness he didn’t lose a finger! I noticed a while ago that I was so caught up in the picture taking, etc… that I often missed enjoying the actual moment. Realizing that I am tired of viewing the events in my life through a lens, I have made a conscious effort to take the “necessary” pictures while making sure I am a participant! I’ve said it before ~ sometimes it is necessary to UNPLUG and listen. There’s a beautiful world out there and noone will care if my pictures aren’t instantly on facebook!
Great story! It is so true! Sometimes we forget to live in the moment because we are so intent on getting “proof” or pictures/videos that we can share with our friends. I think we are all guilty of this at some point…. The important thing here is that we remain conscious of these distractions and try to “self-correct” when we feel ourselves getting “sucked in” to our network communications. Facebook will still be there after the moment has passed!! Enjoy the moment to the fullest
As someone who has worked with very sharp knives in kitchens for many summers, and who has lost some feeling in his left hand due to a cut from a knife that slipped, my first reaction was what is this kid doing with a sharp knife, working on an uneven surface, in a medium that is probably rolling around the table, and probably with wet hands. My second reaction was what are you doing taking pictures and probably distracting him from focusing on the knife. My third reaction was I should mind my own business and focus on the bigger picture.
I am not part of the paradigm shift. I think I wear my cell phone on the left side of my belt to provide a balance for the Swiss Army knife, also known as the portable computer tool kit, on the right side. I am not one of those who require constant contact. At home, I still have a rotary dial phone. It is attached to the wall and I don’t have to worry about it falling out of a case and getting lost between the cushions on the couch or other locations. I still carry a roll of quarters in my truck for emergency phone calls. (It used to be dimes.) Who knows when the battery in my five year old cell phone will finally really die? By the way, has anyone seen a pay phone booth lately? I understand that the phone companies are now trying to pull them out of the rest areas on the highways—not enough profit. The last time I used my cell phone camera was when some guy came into the ShopRite with two fairly well behaved parrots. I do keep a regular digital camera with me after having an argument with an insurance company about damages. Most of the time, it sits. I do enjoy taking pictures, specifically documenting family and friends events. (The real joy of hanging out behind the camera at these events, it that it keeps that pia relative away from me!) It is fun to catch the stuff the professionals miss. The pictures and videos are transferred to a cd or dvd and given to the people in the pictures. If they want to put them on line, that is their business. The argument I get from friends who want me to join a social network is that I use email, I do rarely chat on AIM, I will use Skype’s video phone ti say hi, so, what is the difference? I respond, besides like privacy, paying my bills with a stamp and snail mail, going to the bank to see old friends, etc. I really have very little to say that I think would be of interest to the world in a blog, wiki, facebook, myspace, twitter, etc.
Your comments are always so insightful and fun to read. This isn’t about you Mark1??? Great stuff
Loved the story!!!!! Technology is such a huge part of my life, and I could never survive or even teach without it. I honestly do not know how and can’t quite figure out how teachers did it back in the “day”. Anyhow, your story is something that happens to me on a regular basis. Just today, I was checking my email on my free period and another teacher was talking to me and I said “yes” to a question I hadn’t even heard her ask. Long story short, my “yes” answer requires me to help her on my day off……ugh! It’s just funny how I think, for instance, if I am shopping and thought of something I wanted to tell my friend I call her right then and there. Yeah, of course it can wait but I am so trained to just take out my phone and talk to her. I think this does for texting while driving (sooooo very guilty), I don’t need to text but I just want to tell that person right then and there what I am thinking, or respond to them! I have tried so hard to leave my phone in the bag in the backseat but when I hear it ring all I want to do is answer it and see who it is. It is highly addicting and I totally understand why my students get so angry when I tell them to put their phone away, knowing full well they are reading a text and are dying to respond. Funny the way it is……
The whole idea of being caught up in the moment is so very true. When ever I get a free moment I take my cell phone out of my bag at school and check to see if I have any text messages. When I do this I am fully aware that I need to be sneaky so that the students do not see me. If they did I am sure there would be an uproar. In one of the schools in my district there is a very strict policy where teachers need to call down to the office to have any type of electronic device confiscated by security. I am the first one to admit that I am a rule breaker at times, but really I am not the only one. I cannot tell you how many classrooms I have walked in and seen a cell phone out in clear range on the teachers desk. It is one thing to have it out, but sometimes I have even seen teachers answer their phone in the middle of class. To be honest I think that is so wrong, and the students really do not need to hear your “all important” conversation. Imagine if we let the students do the same!
Cute story…and it is so true how things are shifting. There are many great things about being in immmediate contact w/people and the ability to share experiences and ideas via social networking. But…what makes me sad is- sharing what we are doing w/others can so easily take over us truly experiencing and enjoying the experiences for ourselves. The shift is not just about the ability to share things so easily with so many people—but it is affecting our perspective and how we enjoy and contribute to our personal experiences—and what our focus and intentions are during those experiences. I find I really have to work at keeping my perspective about that—both in how and what I communicate to others—and how I recieve others communications. Sometimes there is a very narcisistic vibe on FB.
Very interesting and eventful time you had. I think the last line is the one that can apply to everyone especially in education. The idea of immediate as we try to cram so much in yet miss many of the important ideas or events. Who can say they have never been in a really good lesson and the class phone rings for a student to pick up a note, it can wait, but now the class is focused on the phone and are thinking what lesson. Multitasking is a great skill, its a prerequisite to being a parent, but prioritizing and scheduling is also important. Life is full of fleeting moments that we want to capture, but they are our moments or our knowledge to gain, gain it, enjoy it and then share it.
It was a very cute story. Love the little ones! I like Laurene love using technology to teach, but am no so into networking online. I see the importance of it and do it when I deem it necessary, but I am old fashioned -I tend to pick up the phone to talk to people to network. I am not so into texting, but see the rewards of how it is so instant. I will admit i have done it a few times driving. I am not into facebook or myspace, but I do enjoy looking at my friends who have facebook. I also thank those who post all types of things because i do find myself clicking away at funny videos and images. We can get so caught up in all the “digital distractions” that we forget to enjoy the moment.
“This too shall pass” after doing an interview about the topic with my 14 year old sister, I found out that our students often lose interest in the current technology and move on to something new. Myspace used to be the main form of networking for her, but now its all ABOUT FACEBOOK! It is very attractive because of the different applications, soon there will be something different like TWITTER. She feels that being one of them is now the norm and its not viewed as a bad thing.
I am a big fan of e-mail and cell phones. I use e-mail constantly because its still more personal than speaking to someone on myspace or facebook. I do not have an account on any networking sites. Cell phones allow for a quick sharing of information and pictures. I like when others share and I feel that at times it allows for everyone around me to be in the same place at the same time sharing the same lovely experience.
I think that your story is a great example of how tech can sometimes get in the way of personal relationships. Our desire to be in touch with the world sometimes blocks us from truly being in touch with the people we are with in the moment. If we’re spending time with someone, but we’re texting someone else, or looking things up online, this is not “quality time.” My life is incredibly busy right now, so I’m always multi-tasking, but I try to make time to just be with the people I really care about every once in a while with no distractions. It’s tough, but I think it’s important.
I’m the same way….I’m always on my iPhone looking something up. I feel like I’m lost without it. I’m always sharing pictures, videos and comments with friends, via text as well as facebook. I found your last comment interesting, that by the time you got home you lost interest in posting the video…the same thing happens to me!
I am actually on the opposite side of the spectrum. I spent too much time behind the vidcam when my son was a baby. Now, I enjoy the moment, and will probably regret not having documented it when my memory and mind fail (probably within a week).
I am a reluctant texter, and my friends know that about me. I send or receive maybe 20 texts per month (my son averages over 1200). I was dragged kicking and screaming onto Facebook, and I always have a conversation with a person before accepting a “friend” request. I make it clear that I am not big on interaction online, and that my current “status” is nobody’s business. If they accept my terms, I add them. If they seem reluctant to understand my point of view, I ignore the request (not that they will miss anything, I never post anyway).
I see the reasons others enjoy, and feel compelled to participate in, instantaneous social networking. Maybe I have a form of PTSD as a result of previous high pressure jobs that made every cel call or pager beep a signal of big trouble. I still flinch when my cel phone rings.
Social networking sites can be an efficient means of staying in touch with a group of people. However, too many seem to be using it to force others to give them their 15 minutes of fame. And if I have to read ONE more facebook post from a whiny 22 year old teacher telling me how “totally exhausted” they are after working a whole 7 hours, I may throw my laptop through the wall…
This technology is a great way for people to connect and be part of an event that they otherwise would not be part of. As for myself, I would rather spend my time ‘in the moment’ and not fiddle with devices.
I was thinking about technology as I was reading about the hostage situation in Stissing in Dutchess County where parents were able to communicate with their children through texting during the lockdown. What a relief it must have been to hear from their kids. A very positive use of the technology. On the flip side I have observed groups of kids hanging out “together” and all of them are texting and talking to someone else. Is it wanting to communicate or is there a cultural message that these kids are getting about how best to spend their time (and money)?
Indeed, we have a lot to teach our kids about technology. The difficulty is that the technology moves faster than our ability to think about the positives and the negatives. As teachers, we are on the frontlines with the parents in helping our students realize the potential and the pitfalls.
Your story was great and I was in the same position with my little cousins. I felt like I had to take pictures of the moment because their parents were not there. As soon as I was done, I instantly sent the pics to them via text message. Once the pumpkins were carved and we were cleaning up, the moment was over. At that moment it was more important to take pics then actually help my cousins carve. I lost sight of what I was supposed to be doing.
This a lot of the time happens in the classroom. I have had the students make a power point presentation about integers, the rules, and everyday applications of them. They got so caught up in the actual power point, that the amount of detail and information was minimal. Now when I use that assignment, I have stricter and clearer guideline on exactly what I want the students to take out of the assignment. We as teachers need to make assignments that not just focus on what is happening right now, but assignments that will last forever. We also need to stop asking our students to multi-task, and focus solely on what is trying to be taught.
I think as time goes on and some of these technologies aren’t “new” anymore perhaps people won’t be so overly dependent on them psychologically. Or we might be able to adjust better. Only time will tell – but we don’t have to have everything going at once (although I do admit I cannot be home without accessing my computer during the day). I have my cell phone at school everyday – in my bag in case I NEED to make a call. Perhaps we are getting too attached to the technology at times, but just like anything else, technology in moderation is great, but when we become dependent on it (ie, drugs, alcohol, etc) it can become harmful.
I have to admit that I am guilty of “multitasking” when it comes to technology. I have texted while driving several times, but not with my daughter in the car. However, I get annoyed when I see other people doing the same thing. I am not sure why this is. A little hypocritical I suppose. Otherwise, I am not the best at uploading pictures and videos anymore. WHen my daughter was younger, I made sure that I took pictures and videos with my camera and phone all of the time. Then I would upload them and share them with family and friends. However, I have gotten a little lazy with this. It is not as easy to sit at the computer with a 21 month old running around! But, with being a mother comes a whole other form of multitasking!
It is incredible how different our lives have become with the advent of modern cell phones. I graduated high school just seven year ago, but adolescents (and adults alike) now have such different social interactions that I did as a youngster. Instant communication was limited to talking on the computer via AOL Instant Messenger, with only a few students at school having cell phones. The explosion of text messaging has laid the groundwork for expanding instant communication, allowing people to interact anywhere and anytime. It will be interesting to see what implications these changes will have over the course of time.
The issue of “texting while driving” is an interesting one, and I am guilty as charged. I don’t want the government passing laws to limit my rights more than anyone else, but I consider the issue similar to driving while intoxicated. While some may feel that anti-texting laws limit their freedom, the simple fact is that people are causing accidents and killing people as a result of their texting behind the wheel. We need to use cell phones responsibly both in and out of school, and unfortunately it may require laws with stiff penalties to get people to drive responsibly with respect to cell phone use.
I completely understand your point of living in the moment and wanting to share it with your friends and family. I often find that I use the camera feature on my phone all the time, because it is so easy to send picture texts as I am out and about. Texting has allowed me to stay connected whenever, wherever. I sometimes prefer texting to actually talking on the phone when all I want to do is mention something that doesn’t require much detail. Your statement on how you lost interest by the time you got home is very relatable. When the moment has passed, that sense of urgency to share is sometimes lost.
Very interesting story, but so true. Unfortunately, I have become one of them. Although I don’t belong to any social networking sites, I have become obsessed with my Blackberry. Just several weeks ago I found myself instant messaging or “pinging” a friend during the Jets and Colts game. Typically for a big game my friend and I would usually get together to watch it; however, this game we decided to watch from our own homes. Throughout the game we “IM’d” each other while analyzing the game; asking each other questions and offering suggestions on what would we do. This went on throughout the game. When the game was over I felt like I did not even see any part of the game. I was so engulfed with my new blackberry phone and instant messaging that I forgot to watch what I truly enjoy doing with no distractions and that was football. Why did I the need to express every detail of the game through technology? Why could I just not watch the game like so many other times, and invite my friend over? I have become a part of this “paradigm shift” of life and have allowed technology to be a part of my Sunday football.
We need to find a balance though. Of course I am watching Zorro while blogging
I can say that I can’t relate to this. The only thing I use my cell phone for is to text and call people. I occasionally take pictures but I don’t usually upload them. I have taken video and emailed it from my phone, my friend was in Iraq and I caught the baby rolling over by himself and had to email it to him. I’ve taken pictures on my camera and my friends keep bugging me to upload them to facebook but I just can’t find the time to do it. I am all for technology but until grad class and my 9,000 jobs slow down, I can’t really engulf myself in it.
I can totally relate to this. I am obsessed with my iPhone and downloading new apps for me to use. It is such a huge part of my life and I do not know what I would do without it. I was never a big fan of texting until I started and now I cannot stop. I think I have lost contact with people because instead of picking up the phone to call them I just text them since it is easier. Once I hear my phone buzz or ring, I must run to it to read the latest news or what not. It is odd because while I am teaching I will hear my phone buzz and want to read it but know that I cannot since I yell at my students while they are reading their texts that cannot wait.
I can remember when a cell phone was the device that Captain Kirk would always whip out whenever he needed to beam up from some planet he was visiting or simply to get out of a difficult situation. This would happen while I was watching TV. For those of you that were not born yet, I am talking about 1967-1968 and the TV show Star Trek. I also remember standing on a busy side walk and seeing people either coldly and silently walking to their intended destinations or having conversations with other people that were actually right next to them. I still watch TV and I still enjoy people watching when I am out in public, usually while my Wife is shopping for girly stuff and I just sit there and patiently wait. The comedy of this is now I see all kinds of people talking away but there is no one there with them. It’s just their little hand held communicator. Every where I go now there are people busy talking on their cell phones. I have no idea why what they have to say is so important that they cannot wait until they get to where they are going and then sit to have the conversation.
It used to be that when people were talking out loud to some unseen person while out in public it simply was someone that was out on their day pass from the hospital or the medication wasn’t working yet. Now I can be looking for discount aspirin at CVS and someone is standing there looking at me talking away yet they are not even remotely talking to me. I have even foolishly looked at them and said, ‘What?’ Only to then receive the look as though I were the one in need of medication.
Claus, We aren’t in need of medication. We have just evolved. We now walk upright with our hand up to our ear. It is evolution and it is here to stay. But we will soon evolve again and at this point we will only be using our minds. You might find your wife is not actually shopping with you in mind when looking for girly things.
I am not asking that you get on the bandwagon – I am just asking you work to have these new ideas integrate with who you are so you can continue to grow. There is nothing wrong with it. In the “old” days we would have been looking down the barrel of a shotgun to make our point or sling a few in a bar and have a good laugh. Social graces haven’t changed – just the means to get there have!
I can definitely relate. I just switched from a regular cell phone to one with Internet and all of the new capabilities. It is really amazing how much technology changes in such a short time. Two years ago my phone was pretty high on the technology list, but up last week one of my students told me I had the same phone as his mother. I don’t feel the need to be connected all the time, but it is really nice to have it available whenever you feel like it.
I understand that this generation can’t live without their “texting” and communication devices. However, there is no, and I do mean no reason why they should be allowed in school. In my classes, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve caught students texting, or looking at messages, or viewing videos, or viewing pictures during class time. Enough is enough. I teach three sections of Geometry and often give pop quizzes. Word spreads quickly to my other two classes when Mr. Nealon is giving a pop quiz. How do I know this? I walked in to one of my classes to find students in a paniac to brush up on the topics for the quiz. Geez, I wonder how they knew I was giving a pop quiz??
I wish we could teach them to respect it. Remember you can’t stop it unless you strip search the kids at the door so somehow we have to work with it.
I can give you one reason why cell phones should be allowed in school. As a parent, if I was not teaching in the same school as my own children, I would want them to have a cell phone on them for emergency reasons. If, God forbid, their was an emergency at the school, I would want my children to be able to contact me instantly. Afternoon quizzes have always been affected by students communicating with their peers, especially at lunch. Texting is just one more way that is available to them. In that case, different quizzes and tests would be necessary.
This is truly a reflection of the age in which we live in. It’s nice to have documentation of the times we share with others that we can look back on and reminisce. But what is important is truly experiencing the time. Being caught up in instant sharing takes away from the moments in which we can give our full attention to others. I was watching the Olympics and they had a segment on the 1980 Men’s Hockey Team winning gold. They made reference to an age where there was no internet or cell phones. The players didn’t have mini camcorders or immediately grab for their phones to contact loved ones. They just cheered and embraced. After reading this post and thinking back to that segment, it just opens your eyes to how important it is to live in the moment even though your first response is to reach for that technology device.
I’ve done my best to take part in most new technologies even if they don’t completely spark my interest. I’ve had a twitter account for almost a year and it seems that they only person who ever checks out my tweets is my g/f, and I’m almost positive that she only does that to mock how few people actually read them. Perhaps with good reason. But, when it comes to instant need to upload and “show” everyone what I’ve done on my weekend I can absolutely relate. I’ve recently tried to take part in the new “Google Buzz”, but it’s so new most twitter and social network addicts don’t even know what it is yet.
I think the need to share our world instantly, comes from the fact that we can. It’s interesting to our generation and it’s a tool that we have utilized to communicate. No matter how impersonal it may be at times, it’s effective and ultimately that’s what counts.